NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – BioChain has licensed Epigenomics' methylated Septin9 biomarker for the detection of colorectal cancer and will start offering an assay based on the marker in China, Epigenomics announced today.
BioChain will offer the assay through its Beijing-based independent reference laboratory — equivalent to a CLIA lab — called Beijing BioChain Medical Laboratory. BioChain manufactures life science tools and molecular genetics diagnostics and has offices in Newark, Calif., and Beijing.
Financial and other terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In a statement, Thomas Taapken, CFO and acting CEO of Epigenomics, noted the growing prevalence of colorectal cancer in China and the need for early detection. The deal with BioChain "allows more convenient alternatives for CRC screening to become available in this emerging market," he said.
"Through this agreement we will immediately initiate efforts in China to validate and deploy the methylated Septin9 assay allowing the establishment of new standards for access and convenience in our home market," added Grace Tian, CEO of BioChain Institute, USA. "We see this effort as a first step in developing a relationship with Epigenomics to bring early-stage cancer detection to the market."
Epigenomics markets a CE-marked Septin9-based screening test called Epi proColon in Europe and the Middle East and filed its premarket approval application with the US Food and Drug Administration in December to market the test in the US.